Team News: Arsenal Confirm Fresh Blow, Emery Could Be Without 8 Players vs Liverpool

Arsenal will be looking to close-in on the top two with a win when Liverpool arrive at the Emirates on Saturday evening.

Unai Emery has been speaking to the media at his pre-match press conference this afternoon and he’s provided a full team news and injury update ahead of the game with the latest on Sead Kolasinac, Nacho Monreal, Hector Bellerin, Sokratis, Mohamed Elneny, Laurent Koscielny, Dinos Mavropanos and Matteo Guendouzi.

Kolasinac returned to training earlier this week after missing Arsenal’s last four games with a hamstring injury while Monreal has also been on the sidelines recently due to his own hamstring problem and the left-backs will face late fitness checks before their availability this weekend is determined.

Emery also has concerns at right-back as Bellerin is a doubt to face Liverpool after missing the Carabao Cup win over Blackpool with a thigh injury that he sustained during a 2-2 draw with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park last weekend.

To make matters worse for Arsenal, they’ve confirmed a fresh blow as Sokratis is also in danger of missing out against Liverpool tomorrow. The Greek international started against Sporting Lisbon last week but missed the midweek win over Blackpool and now he’s a doubt for tomorrow’s game with an ankle injury.

With Laurent Koscielny still working his way back to full fitness from a ruptured Achilles and Dinos Mavropanos sidelined with a groin injury then Emery will be low on options in the middle of defence if Sokratis is ruled out.

Arsenal also have problems in midfield as Matteo Guendouzi is suspended following his sending off against Blackpool while Mohamed Elneny is facing two weeks on the sidelines with a thigh injury.

A team news update on Arsenal.com confirmed:

Matteo Guendouzi
Suspended for Liverpool (h), following his dismissal against Blackpool (h).

Nacho Monreal
Minor right hamstring. Being assessed ahead of Liverpool (h) on Saturday, November 3.

Sead Kolasinac
Minor right hamstring. Being assessed ahead of Liverpool (h) on Saturday, November 3.

Hector Bellerin
Right thigh. Being assessed ahead of Liverpool (h) on Saturday, November 3.

Sokratis
Right ankle. Being assessed ahead of Liverpool (h) on Saturday, November 3.

Mo Elneny
Right thigh. Expected to return to full training in two weeks.

Laurent Koscielny
Right Achilles tendon repair. Currently being integrated back into full training.

Dinos Mavropanos
Groin injury. Expected to return to full training in November.

It’s a lengthy injury list for Arsenal to be carrying ahead of such a crucial game and Emery faces being without as many as eight players for the visit of Liverpool – which is a nightmare situation for the north Londoners.

Defence is a particular area of concern and Arsenal will be praying Bellerin and at least one of Monreal or Kolasinac are passed fit, otherwise they’re going to have serious issues in the full-back areas. Stephan Lichtsteiner is on stand-by to continue at right-back if Bellerin is ruled out but Granit Xhaka may be forced to start at left-back if Monreal and Kolasinac fail their fitness tests.